Senior Associate/Legal Director - Professional Negligence

Department: Professional and Commercial Risk

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Bristol

Description

Are you looking for a role offering intellectual challenge, client-focus and industry-leading quality, without compromising on genuine flexibility? An opportunity in our Professional and Commercial Risk team may be for you.

We're seeking a Senior Associate/Legal Director (5+ PQE) to join our Professional & Commercial Risk team in Bristol. You'll play an active role in the continued growth and success of the team, working collaboratively with colleagues across our wider practice regionally, nationally and internationally.

Our team acts for major insurers and insured professionals, and supports clients across the full spectrum of professional indemnity work - from early strategic advice and pre-action issues through to complex litigated claims. The role offers a broad mix of matters, with a particular focus on claims involving surveyors and valuers, property managers, brokers, and accountants.

Join a truly international firm where collaboration across disciplines fuels variety and creative problem-solving for high-calibre clients. You'll be empowered to develop client relationships, directly see your impact, and deliver bespoke solutions.

Key Responsibilities

As part of the team, you will have:

• A mixed workload of professional negligence claims across the property and financial/professional services sectors (including surveyors/valuers, property management, brokers and accountants)
• Responsibility for running pre-action and litigated matters, as well as supporting Partners and senior colleagues on high-value/complex cases
• Regular client contact (insurers and insureds), providing clear, commercial advice and sharing insight on key issues
• Direct engagement with experts and counsel, including giving instructions and shaping strategy
• Involvement in disclosure exercises, witness evidence, drafting, and case strategy
• A good understanding and experience of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation
• Supervision and support of more junior team members, alongside contributing to team knowledge-sharing
• The opportunity to contribute to business development and the continued growth of the practice

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Defendant professional indemnity / professional negligence experience at Senior Associate or Legal Director level (5+ PQE) (or equivalent)
• Experience managing a caseload with an appropriate level of autonomy, alongside supporting on larger matters
• Strong legal analysis, drafting, and communication skills
• Confident, professional client-handling skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• A proactive mindset, with a positive and flexible approach to change and continuous improvement
• Interest or exposure to claims involving surveyors/valuers, property managers, brokers and/or accountants is welcome, but not essential (strong generalist prof neg candidates encouraged)
• Enthusiasm to take responsibility, develop relationships, and progress within an ambitious, supportive team

Additional Information

As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage (including the application, assessment or interview process), please contact recruitment@dacbeachcroft.com in confidence with the vacancy reference in the subject line, and we'll be happy to help.